MATT MURRAY hopes the loan spell he starts with Tranmere Rovers this week can inject new impetus into a career beset with injury setbacks.

The Wolves goalkeeper, talented enough to win England under-21 recognition, should have expected to play more than 200 senior games by the time he reached the age of 24.

Instead Murray has barely made it past 50.

He spent most of his six years as a professional on the treatment table recovering from a succession of serious problems such as cruciate ligament damage, a hernia operation, tendon injuries and two broken feet.

The second of those foot fractures kept the six-foot six inch giant out of first-team action for the last 14 months.

But after making four appearances in Wolves reserves since the turn of the year, Murray is enthusiastic about taking his comeback on to a new level by moving to Prenton Park for the remainder of the season.

Tranmere manager Brian Little acknowledged Murray's pressing need of first-team football by naming him in the starting lineup for the League One visit to Yeovil Town tomorrow.

Murray said last night: "I do feel as though I'm due a run of good luck and hopefully this loan will be the spell that kickstarts my career again.

"I have been training hard since Christmas, playing a few reserve games. Now I have been given a chance now to play some first-team football. I need to get things back on track and I'm really looking forward to it."

Murray admits to some nervous excitement about the prospect of playing senior football again.

He said: "Ever since I knew I was coming to Tranmere I have started getting those butterflies in my tummy again, which means there is something to look forward to on a Saturday.

"I have not had that feeling for a while.

"Reserve team football is good and it served its purpose but there's nothing like playing for points in front of crowds in games that really mean something.

"I'm determined to do well and keep my place in the team."

Murray hopes to play in the eight remaining games of Tranmere's League One campaign. He last enjoyed a prolonged run of senior action in 2002/03, making 48 appearances as Wolves won promotion to the Premiership.

Little's decision to play his new recruit at Huish Park means Dino Seremet stands down for the final game of his loan spell from Luton Town.

The manager explained: "Matt will be going straight into the first-team and hopefully he will play for the rest of the season.

"I don't think Wolves would have let him leave if he wasn't going to play first-team football here.

"Not so long ago a lot of people were tipping Matt as a potential England goalkeeper of the future.

" He's had major setbacks with injuries but is on the way back now.

"He's been cruising through reserve games and needed another step up, another test.

"I am more than willing to give him an opportunity to play for us.

"Getting back into league football will put that little bit of extra pressure on Matt, which he hasn't had for a little while. I think he can handle it with ease.

"I've watched him a few times in recent weeks and he has a great physical presence and is a good talker as well."

Murray is two inches taller than Seremet, who played 13 games from the turn of the year.

He is due to return to Kenilworth Road on Monday and Little said he was "not sure" whether the Slovenian will be on the bench tomorrow.

Little said: " In fairness to Dino he has done very well for us and he understands the position."

Murray did not need to read up on Tranmere and their fortunes.

He is friends with former Rovers goalkeeper Russell Howarth and their chat gave him an insight into life at Prenton Park.

Murray said: "Tranmere had a fantastic season last year and their form since Christmas this time has been excellent.